Simeone sees Kane as a role model for young people ahead of Bayern match

“Kane does children a lot of good; he leaves them with the example that you can reach an important place through hard work,” Diego Simeone said. The coach spoke to the media alongside Álex Baena to discuss the Atlético-Bayern match.

On the eve of the Champions League meeting, Simeone also stressed the uncertainty surrounding how far his side could go in the competition. “I don’t know how long we will stay in the Champions League,” he said, adding that he hoped not to face the question before every match. He called the competition “something wonderful for the club” but said his team takes things one game at a time and must focus on what it can do in each match.

The coach spoke gratefully of the 15 years experienced by the club, its supporters and the team, and urged them to enjoy the moment with enthusiasm. He expects a difficult opponent and believes his side must steer the game towards situations in which it thinks it can hurt them. His preference would be to attack for 80 minutes and leave the opponent just 10, but he warned that reality may be more complicated against a powerful team that presses well.

Simeone also praised Kane, congratulating him on the Ballon d’Or. He commended the forward’s development over the years, commitment to work and ability to remain close to goal. In Simeone’s view, Kane’s talent benefits football and the young people who watch him. The coach also said that balance and consistency remain the qualities he wants his team to build.

Atlético host Bayern on Tuesday in the fourth round of the Champions League league phase. Simeone called on the supporters to be close to the team and back the players strongly. Bayern will arrive at the Metropolitano with a depleted attack. Harry Kane, the Ballon d’Or winner, had not found the net against Borussia Dortmund and hopes to do so against Atlético. Mundo Deportivo reports that Bayern come into the match after seven consecutive wins in LaLiga and eight games unbeaten in all competitions.

Simeone added that major European matches are different because of the opponent’s quality and the exposure they bring. He said Cardoso and Morten were unavailable, while Koke was returning eager to play, and that decisions on the players would be made the following day, before the match.